Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Josh Marshall explains on Talking Points Memo.As you know, I believe in my heart that Ted Cruz is an odious weasel. I base this on observing him for years now and on the accounts and traumas of many close friends who've known him for far longer. But that was a singular moment. Convention managers don't let unexpected things happen. If Ted Cruz had simply not mentioned Trump, it would have been a mild deal but not a huge thing. He did much more than that. He affirmatively not only refused to endorse Trump but exhorted fellow Republicans not to vote for Trump. Yes, he used the coded phrasing "vote your conscience." But in context that meant with with crystal clarity: Your Republican identity in no way obligates you to vote for Donald Trump. Rather 'vote your conscience' and do not vote for Donald Trump. Because a conservative true to his conscience cannot do so.

As I've noted on so many fronts over recent months, Trump's brand is dominance. Trump acts; others comply. Whether that's true or not doesn't matter. That's the story he's sold his supporters. It's the essence of his political message. Trump dominates; his enemies are humiliated. Even 'friends' like Christie and Pence are relegated to a golden cage of perpetual dignity loss.

In this interaction, Cruz came into Trump's house, Trump's party and humiliated him. There's no other way to put it. The crowd booed; Trump literally came out into the hall to pull the cameras off Cruz and according to reporters on the scene security escorted Cruz's wife out of the hall for her own safety.

Cruz just made himself dead to the institutional Republican party for the next four months. But he imbued himself with an image of courage, valor and general badassery for basically every Republican opposing Trump from the ideological right.

But the upshot is that he came into Trump's house and stomped him hard. That is not how it's supposed to work on Trump's turf. But Cruz just turned the tables on him.

Quotes of Note

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